Former Metr. Tychikos Leaves Paphos Metropolis Offices Amid Escalating Church Dispute

The former Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, has been removed from his residence. Photo: Orthodox Ecclesiastical Discourse/Facebook

PAPHOS, CYPRUS — Former Metr. Tychikos of Paphos departed the offices of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos on June 4 after what supporters describe as intense pressure, intimidation, and threats of police intervention from church authorities, marking the latest development in a months-long ecclesiastical crisis that has deeply divided the local faithful.

According to reporting from UOJ-Greece, Tychikos had resided at the Metropolis offices for 22 years and left the premises after mounting pressure from the Archbishopric of Cyprus. A significant police presence was reported around the Metropolis buildings on the previous day, following public statements by Abp. Georgios indicating that police assistance could be used to remove the former metropolitan if necessary.

Tychikos is now being temporarily accommodated elsewhere in the city of Paphos. Supporters say he has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain close to "the city and the people of Paphos" whom he has served for decades.

The dispute remains unresolved as Tychikos continues to challenge the canonical validity of his removal. The matter has also entered the legal arena, with petitions and legal actions pending ahead of the June 11 enthronement of Metropolitan-elect Grigorios.

On the same day as his departure, clergy and lay supporters issued a lengthy public statement titled "A Life of Humility and Service in Paphos: Metropolitan Tychikos and the Truth That No One Can Erase," defending the former metropolitan and sharply criticizing the actions taken against him.

The statement describes Tychikos' 22 years of ministry in Paphos, noting that he served the Metropolis "from layman to bishop," first as a deacon, then archimandrite, protosyncellus, and ultimately metropolitan. Supporters praised his pastoral work and his relationship with the faithful, saying he "served daily with love, humility, and complete self-sacrifice."

The letter accuses church authorities of pursuing a campaign motivated by "personal animosity and vindictiveness" and claims that Tychikos' removal was carried out "without any valid canonical justification."

Supporters also alleged that financial pressure and threats of eviction were used to force his departure from the Metropolis residence.

"Through a letter from Georgios, an ultimatum has been issued to the Metropolitan to leave, with the threat that if he refuses, the police will be called in to remove him," the statement said.

The letter strongly rejected suggestions that Tychikos voluntarily abandoned his post.

"Do not dare, therefore, to say or write that Tychikos abandoned the Metropolis," the statement declared.

Supporters further insisted that despite leaving the Metropolis buildings, Tychikos remains spiritually present among the faithful.

"Metropolitan Tychikos has never abandoned the Metropolis, just as he has never abandoned his flock and spiritual children," the letter stated. "He continues to be with them, responding to their calls at every moment."

The statement also took aim at Abp. Georgios, arguing that the Archbishop, as "first among equals" in the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, should not interfere in the affairs of "autonomous metropolises." It questioned what supporters described as Georgios' continuing "obsession with Paphos" after his election to the archiepiscopal throne in Nicosia.

While Georgios was living and serving in Paphos, all of us knew his intentions very well. He told us repeatedly, and all his actions demonstrated, that his sole goal and concern was how to reach Nicosia. Paphos was treated merely as a stepping stone to the archiepiscopal throne.

Georgios ultimately obtained what he wanted. Therefore, he should have gone to Nicosia, remained in his new position, carried out his duties according to his office, and given thanks to Christ. Instead, there has been ingratitude.

Despite the setback, supporters expressed confidence that Tychikos will ultimately be vindicated and restored.

"Christ has not yet spoken," the statement concluded. "And until He does, the people of Paphos know who their spiritual father is."

The controversy surrounding Tychikos' removal continues to generate intense debate within the Church of Cyprus, with the coming enthronement of Metropolitan-elect Grigorios expected to mark a significant moment in the ongoing dispute.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Tychikos had issued a public statement rejecting his removal as unjust.

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